2 26 REPORT OF THE 



" It was found that out of these 283 trees 78 would have actually 

 scaled more in standards if low stumps had been cut. Computation was 

 made of the percentage of increase in each tree affected, and of the ratio of 

 trees of each diameter showing an increase to the entire number measured. 



" The total increase for all the trees amounted to 5.4 standards. The 

 total yield of the trees was 258 standards. The percentage of increase was, 

 therefore, 2.1. The trees from which this computation was made were all 

 sound. In actual practice a number of the trees are found to have some 

 imperfection at the stump and a short piece has to be cut off. In generaliz- 

 ing from the above figures, therefore, an allowance should be made for 

 trees of this character. It is believed that a reduction of sf" is ample. The 

 figure 2.ifp should be, therefore, 2fo. 



" These figures mean that for every 100 000 standards removed, 2 000 

 are wasted by cutting high stumps. If a tract of 100 000 acres yields on 

 an average 15 standards per acre there would be a loss in cutting high 

 stumps of 30 000 standards. At a stumpage value of 40 cents per standard 

 this represents an actual loss of $12000." 



If these figures were applied to Township 40, on which there are 

 410 26T) standards of the species advised for removal, the saving would be, 

 at a stumpage price of 50 cents per standard, $4 102.63. 



It is claimed by some lumbermen that the cutting of high stumps 

 economizes in the time and labor expended in the " butting," or cutting 

 off, of that portion of the tree which is sometimes aft'ected by heart rot, 

 shakes, or other defects. But the tree can verv seldom be cut high enough 

 to remove these defects when found, and another cutting usually has to be 

 made, and sometimes two or three, before the proper point to remove the 

 defect is reached. As it is impossible to judge with absolute certainty, 

 from outside appearances, what the condition at the heart is, especially with 

 regard to Spruce, and as the foregoing theory could hold good only on 

 very slightly affected trees, while all ^ound trees cut in this manner would 

 be cut at a very appreciable loss, a foot in length saved of the clear timber 

 in the butt of the tree, where the cutting-point diameter runs from 14 to 30 

 inches, as it does with the Spruce on this tract, is worth several feet m the 

 top of the tree. There is not only the difference in the increased scale of 

 the butt, but also the difference of the two extremes of quality — the clearest 

 and best timber in the butt, and the smallest and most knotty in the top. 



The cutting point cannot be arbitrarily fixed for all conditions. Local- 

 ity and the position of the trees with reference to large rocks, fallen trees, 



